How to Buy Hong Kong Stocks in Singapore 2026 (Trading BYD, Alibaba, Xiaomi & Tencent Directly in HKEX)
Last Updated on 2 months ago by Antony C.
- Claim up to $1,418 Worth of Free Stocks + Cash Coupon*
- Free SGX & HKEX real-time LV1 quotes
- MAS Regulated Broker (Licence No. CMS101211).
- Lifetime $0 commission fee* for SG, HK & US stocks.
Longbridge Promo: Free Stock + $0 Commission
- Claim up to S$1,200* worth of Free Stocks + Trading Option Gifts + Exclusive Bonus.
- Earn a return on idle cash with Moomoo Cash Plus
- Low commission fee for SG & HK stocks, ETFs & options.
- Lifetime $0 commission free* for US stocks.
Moomoo Promo: Low Commission + Free Stock
Hong Kong is one of the overseas stock markets I invest in because it gives me access to many companies that I cannot easily find on the Singapore Exchange.
You can invest in Hong Kong companies such as AIA and HKEX, as well as many large Chinese companies such as Tencent, Alibaba, Xiaomi and BYD.
And for us in Singapore, buying Hong Kong stocks is actually quite simple.
All you need is a brokerage account with access to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). You can deposit SGD, convert it to HKD and start buying Hong Kong-listed stocks.
21
Brokerage Reviewed & Analyzed
Driven by data, run by investors with real-world experience investing with our own money.
We’re supported by readers who buy via links on our site. While this may influence which products we write, it will not influence our opinions and evaluation. Learn more.
Can Foreigners Invest in Hong Kong Stocks?
Yes. Singapore investors can buy and sell stocks listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange through a brokerage that provides access to the Hong Kong market.
You do not need to live in Hong Kong or have a Hong Kong bank account.
For most Singapore investors, the process is simply:
Deposit SGD → Convert to HKD → Search for the stock → Buy the shares
HKEX states that investors participate in the Hong Kong securities market through licensed securities dealers or registered institutions.
This makes Hong Kong one of the easier overseas markets for Singapore investors to access.
Major Stock Exchange in Hong Kong
The main stock exchange in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX).
Unlike Singapore, where most companies listed on SGX are Singapore or regional businesses, HKEX also has a very large number of mainland Chinese companies.
As of this year, mainland enterprises made up about 77% of HKEX’s total market capitalisation.
This is why I do not think of HKEX as just a “Hong Kong stock market”. It is also one of the main markets I look at when I want access to Chinese companies, because here you can find:
- Hong Kong companies
- Mainland Chinese companies
- International companies
- ETFs
- REITs
- Other listed investment products
If your main goal is specifically to invest in China, I have a separate guide explaining how to buy China stocks in Singapore.
Understanding the Types of Hong Kong Stocks
One thing that can be confusing is that a company listed in Hong Kong does not necessarily mean it is a Hong Kong company.
Here is a simple way to look at the Hong Kong market.
| Type | What It Means | Example of Exposure |
|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong companies | Companies based or operating mainly in Hong Kong | Financials, property, utilities |
| H-Shares | Mainland Chinese companies incorporated in China and listed on HKEX | Chinese banks and state-owned companies |
| Other Mainland enterprises | Chinese-controlled companies incorporated outside mainland China | Technology and consumer companies |
| ETFs | Funds holding a basket of investments | Hong Kong, China, dividend or sector exposure |
| REITs | Property trusts traded like stocks | Commercial and retail properties |
HKEX defines H-Shares as shares of mainland Chinese companies incorporated in China and listed in Hong Kong.
You may also see older terms such as Red Chips and P-Chips. HKEX now groups many of these under the broader classification of non-H-share Mainland enterprises.
For most investors, I would not worry too much about memorising every term.
What matters more is understanding what company you are buying and where its business actually comes from.
How Can I Buy Stocks in Hong Kong?
There are three simple ways I would consider if I want exposure to the Hong Kong stock market.
- Invest directly in HK Stocks
- Invest in HK ETFs
- Invest in SGX listed HK or China ETFs
1. Invest Directly in Hong Kong Stocks
The most direct way is to buy individual stocks listed on HKEX.
For example, if I want to invest in a particular Hong Kong or Chinese company, I can simply search for its ticker in my brokerage account and buy the shares.
- The advantage is that I have complete control over what I own.
- The downside is that investing in individual companies also means taking on more company-specific risk.
2. Invest in Hong Kong ETFs
If you do not want to pick individual stocks, you can invest through an ETF listed on HKEX.
An ETF holds a basket of investments, so one purchase can give you exposure to many companies.
There are Hong Kong-listed ETFs covering areas such as:
- Hang Seng Index
- China stocks
- Technology
- Dividend stocks
- Covered call strategies
- Bonds and other assets
I personally like ETFs because they can make investing much simpler, especially when I do not want to research every individual company.
Of course, ETFs can still fall in value. Diversification reduces some risks but does not remove market risk.
3. Invest in Singapore-Listed Hong Kong or China ETFs
You can also gain Hong Kong or China exposure without trading directly on HKEX.
There are ETFs listed on SGX that invest in Hong Kong or Chinese markets.
This can be useful if you prefer to keep your investments within your existing Singapore brokerage account.
The trade-off is that you cannot choose the individual stocks held inside the ETF.
Best Platform to Open a Brokerage Account to Invest in Hong Kong Stocks
To buy stocks directly on HKEX, you need a brokerage account that supports Hong Kong shares. For me, fees matter, but they are not the only thing I look at.
| Brokerage | Stock Exchange | China Stock Share Type | Min Fees | TRADING COMMISSIONS | CUSTODIAN FEES |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Moomoo | HKEX | H-Share | HKD$15 | 0.03% Trade Value | No custodian fees |
 Longbridge | HKEX | H-Share | HKD$15 | 0.03% Trade Value | No custodian fees |
 Tiger Brokers | HKEX | H-Share | HKD$15 | 0.2% Trade Value | No custodian fees |
 Interactive Brokers | HKEX | H-Share | HKD$18 | 0.05% Trade Value | No custodian fees |
 FSMOne | HKEX | H-Share | HKD$50 | 0.08% Trade Value | No custodian fees |
 Saxo Markets | HKEX | H-Share | HKD$90 | 0.15% Trade Value | 0.12% p.a. of daily stock portfolio value charged on a monthly basis, minimum $10 per month |
 Phillip Securities | HKEX | H-Share | HKD$100 | 0.25% Trade Value | No custodian fees |
 Lim & Tan Securities | HKEX | H-Share | HKD$80 | 0.12% Trade Value | 0.2% of Portfolio Value |
 Maybank Kim Eng Securities | HKEX | H-Share | HKD$50 | 0.12% Trade Value | S$2 Per Counter Per Month, Max $150 Per Quarter |
 DBS Vickers | HKEX | H-Share | HKD$108 | 0.15% Trade Value | S$2 Per Counter Per Month, Max $150 Per Quarter |
 UOB Kay Hian | HKEX | H-Share | HKD$75 | 0.12% Trade Value | S$2 Per Counter Per Month, Max $150 Per Quarter |
 OCBC Securities | HKEX | H-Share | HKD$150 | 0.25% Trade Value | S$2 Per Counter Per Month, Max $200 Per Quarter |
Note: Data are consolidated, checked for accuracy and ensure outmost reliability by the Author through hours of research into each of the brokerage platforms, the author aims to provide the most accurate data by following strictly according to our editorial guidelines but always do your own due diligence before investing. Fees changes time from time, these are just for reference only, data updated for companies listed on HKEX.
Why Should We Consider Investing in the Hong Kong Stock Market?
For me, one of the biggest reasons to invest in Hong Kong is simply choice.
SGX has many great companies and REITs, but HKEX gives me access to businesses and sectors that are less represented in Singapore.
Some reasons investors may consider Hong Kong stocks include:
- Access to major Chinese companies: Many large Chinese companies are listed on HKEX.
- More investment choices: Hong Kong has companies across technology, finance, consumer, property, telecommunications and many other sectors.
- Dividend opportunities: There are dividend stocks, REITs and income-focused ETFs listed on HKEX.
- Diversification: It gives investors exposure beyond Singapore.
There can also be some tax advantages.
Hong Kong currently has no capital gains tax and no withholding tax on dividends under its general tax system.
For Singapore resident individuals, IRAS also states that foreign dividends received in Singapore are generally not taxable, except in certain situations such as dividends received through a partnership. Profits from buying and selling shares are also generally treated as personal investment gains.
However, the company paying the dividend may be incorporated outside Hong Kong, so the actual tax treatment can differ.
In other words, being listed on HKEX does not automatically mean every stock has exactly the same tax treatment.
How to Buy and Invest in Hong Kong Shares in Singapore?
If you wanted to get started in investing, and if you are in Singapore, there are three main ways to get started.
1. Open a Domestic Brokerage Account
Some traditional Singapore brokerages and banks provide access to overseas markets such as Hong Kong.
If you already have an account, check whether it allows you to trade HKEX stocks.
This can be convenient, although traditional brokerage fees may be higher than some online brokers.
2. Invest in Singapore-Listed Hong Kong ETFs
The second option is to buy an ETF listed on SGX that gives you exposure to Hong Kong or China.
This may be suitable if you prefer:
- Buying through SGX
- Investing in a basket of stocks
- Not choosing individual companies
- Keeping things simple
However, you will not have direct control over which individual companies the ETF owns.
3. Open an Online Brokerage Account With Access to Hong Kong Stock Market
This is my preferred way to invest in Hong Kong.
Online brokerages such as Moomoo, Longbridge, Tiger Brokers and Interactive Brokers allow Singapore investors to access HKEX without opening a Hong Kong bank or brokerage account.
- Claim up to S$1,200* worth of Free Stocks + Trading Option Gifts + Exclusive Bonus.
- Earn a return on idle cash with Moomoo Cash Plus
- Low commission fee for SG & HK stocks, ETFs & options.
- Lifetime $0 commission free* for US stocks.
Moomoo Promo: Low Commission + Free Stock
The process is straightforward:
- Open your brokerage account.
- Deposit SGD into the account.
- Convert SGD into HKD.
- Search for the Hong Kong stock or ETF.
- Check the share price and board lot.
- Choose how many shares you want.
- Review the fees and place your trade.
If you already know how to buy stocks in Singapore, the process will feel very familiar.
There are just a few Hong Kong-specific things to know.
Hong Kong Stocks Are Usually Traded in HKD
Most Hong Kong stocks are traded in Hong Kong dollars.
This means currency conversion is another cost to consider.
I therefore look at both:
Brokerage fees + currency conversion costs
rather than simply choosing whichever broker advertises the lowest commission.
Understand the Board Lot
Hong Kong stocks generally have a board lot, which is the normal trading quantity for that stock.
For example:
- Share price: HK$50
- Board lot: 100 shares
- Cost of one lot: approximately HK$5,000
Board lot sizes can differ between stocks.
HKEX started introducing a more standardised board lot framework in July 2026, with standard lot units being phased in across the market.
If you have fewer shares than one board lot, these are generally known as odd lots.
Hong Kong Trading Hours Are Convenient for Singapore Investors
Hong Kong and Singapore are in the same time zone.
The main HKEX continuous trading sessions are:
| Trading Session | Singapore Time |
|---|---|
| Morning | 9:30am – 12:00pm |
| Afternoon | 1:00pm – 4:00pm |
There is also a pre-opening session before regular trading and a closing auction for eligible securities.
I find this much more convenient than trading US stocks late at night.
Why I Use Moomoo to Buy Hong Kong Stocks in Singapore
Minimum investment: $0
Stock/ETF Commission Fees: $0 for US, 0.03% for SG, HK
Options Fees: $0.65 Per Contract
Markets: United States, Hong Kong, China, Singapore
Suitable For: Beginner and Experience investors looking to invest in both locally and internationally.
For my own Hong Kong investments, Moomoo is one of the main brokerage platforms I use.
I like it because it makes investing in HKEX stocks quite simple. I can:
- Deposit SGD
- Convert SGD to HKD
- Search Hong Kong stocks
- Check company information and charts
- Read market news
- Buy and sell within the same app
Buying Hong Kong stocks through Moomoo only takes a few steps:
- Open and fund your Moomoo Singapore account.
- Convert SGD into HKD.
- Search for the stock using its name or ticker.
- Check the board lot and current price.
- Click Trade and enter your order.
- Review everything before confirming.
Moomoo Financial Singapore is regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under a Capital Markets Services Licence.
I personally find the platform easy to use, especially because I can access Singapore, Hong Kong and US markets from one app.
That does not mean it is automatically the best broker for everyone.
You should still compare the fees, features and currency conversion costs of different brokers and choose what works for you.
Risks of Investing in Hong Kong Stocks
Like any investment, Hong Kong stocks are not risk-free.
Some of the main risks include:
| Risk | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Risk | What It Means |
| Market risk | Hong Kong share prices can rise or fall |
| Company risk | An individual company can perform badly |
| China exposure | Many HKEX-listed businesses depend heavily on mainland China |
| Currency risk | Your SGD return can be affected by HKD exchange rates |
| Dividend risk | Companies can reduce or stop dividends |
| Regulatory risk | Rules affecting companies or industries can change |
I do not think these risks mean we should avoid Hong Kong.
It simply means we should understand what we are buying instead of investing only because a stock looks cheap or has a high dividend yield.
So, are you ready to start investing in Hong Kong or HKEX listed stocks?
Let’s get started by opening your brokerage account with Moomoo and claim your exclusive deal through this link below!
- Claim up to S$1,200* worth of Free Stocks + Trading Option Gifts + Exclusive Bonus.
- Earn a return on idle cash with Moomoo Cash Plus
- Low commission fee for SG & HK stocks, ETFs & options.
- Lifetime $0 commission free* for US stocks.
Moomoo Promo: Low Commission + Free Stock
Frequently Ask Questions
Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article are independent opinion of the author, based on my own trading and investing experience. Neither Moomoo Singapore or its affiliates shall be liable for the content of the information provided. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.
* T&C Applies
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for your convenience only. By accessing this website you’ve agree on our T&C. We do not offer tax or investing advisory or brokerage services, nor do we recommend or advise anyone to buy or sell particular stocks, securities or other investments.
21
Brokerage Reviewed & Analyzed
Driven by data, run by investors with real-world experience investing with our own money.
We’re supported by readers who buy via links on our site. While this may influence which products we write, it will not influence our opinions and evaluation. Learn more.
Join 900+ BUDDIES who are growing their wealth with our weekly Income Newsletter
Antony C. is a Singaporean dividend investor focused on building passive income through REITs, ETFs, and Dividend Stocks. With 15+ years of experience investing in Singapore, Hong Kong, and China markets, he founded IncomeBuddies.com to share practical wealth-building strategies tested in his own portfolio since 2008. His expertise has been featured in Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq, and NFAA, and he’s the published book author of "Start Small, Dream Big".